Southbury, CT –– Mary Lou (Luecking) Wohlhieter, 88, passed away peacefully on August 13th, 2022. She was the beloved wife of John A. Wohlhieter for 61 years. She is survived by her husband; their son Michael Wohlhieter and his wife Diana Wohlhieter; and three grandchildren: Brian Wohlhieter and his wife Corrin Wohlhieter, Karina Wohlhieter, and Ian Wohlhieter; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two sons, Andrew Joseph and Kevin John, and by her brother Joseph Luecking.
Mary Lou was born September 21, 1933 in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of the late Joseph and Julia (Flannigan) Luecking. She grew up in Catonsville, MD and attended grade school at St. Mark’s Catholic School and high school at Trinity Prep in Ellicott City. Here she excelled in both scholarship and sports. At the towering height of 5’4”, she played center on the school basketball team.
After graduating, she attended the University of Maryland where she majored in science and graduated with a BS degree in Microbiology. She went on to work in the virology department at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Her research contributed to the development of vaccines for a number of exotic viruses.
It was also at WRAIR that she met her husband, Jack, who was assigned as an Army Officer to the institute in 1960. They were married on April 15, 1961 in the chapel at St. Mark’s Parish in Catonsville. They lived in the Washington, D.C. area and raised their family in Potomac, MD. Mary Lou was a founding member of St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Parish, a member of Sodality and volunteer in the parish office. She was involved in many social activities within the community. She was a member of the Chevy Chase Junior Women’s Club, Questers, and volunteered for the Montgomery County Library.
Mary Lou was an avid bridge and tennis player. She also loved to travel and enjoyed annual vacations to the Maryland shore with her family and friends. She and Jack travelled throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Her favorite trip was to Yellowstone National Park.
In 2015, Mary Lou and her husband Jack moved to The Watermark in Southbury, CT. Here they quickly became active in community events, sports and music, most recently taking up the ukulele. She enjoyed dining with friends and family. Mary Lou is a member of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Southbury.
Mary Lou was a friend to all she met. She will be remembered for her bright smile, captivating storytelling and the ability to make anyone laugh with her. She approached the world with curiosity and was generous in sharing her vast knowledge and many passions with those around her. Her family and friends will treasure memories of evenings spent together with a bushel of Maryland crabs and a glass of scotch. Her crab cake recipe will remain a family secret.
A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, CT on Wednesday August 17th at 11am. She will be buried at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery in Potomac, MD alongside her son, Kevin.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice or to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation (3006 Bee Caves Road, Suite D206; Austin, Texas 78746) www.rls.org.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
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